Walpole High School students know what’s on Netflix all too well–after all, they’ve spent countless hours binge-watching “Grey’s Anatomy” or catching up on “Psych.” However, if you, too, have watched everything on your list, check out The Rebellion’s Netflix recommendations. We’ve searched through all those bizarre categories and recommendations (foreign soap operas, anyone?) to bring you the best of Netflix.
Best TV Shows to Binge Watch by Emily Luong
‘Sherlock’: BBC’s modern take on iconic sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. John Watson is a must watch for all fans of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. The series follows their adventures solving cases all around London from serial killer murders to subway bombings. The show also includes beloved characters from the original books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle such as Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft Holmes (Mark Gatiss), Sherlock’s landlady, Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs), and Sherlock’s arch nemesis, James Moriarty (Andrew Scott). With the advent of a much-anticipated Christmas special scheduled to premiere during the holidays and the release of the show’s fourth season early next year, fans and newcomers alike can catch up on all of the episodes in preparation.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’: One of the most critically acclaimed medical dramas on television, ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” is filled with memorable and relatable surgeons who must balance their personal lives and their medical careers. Juxtaposing both the humor of the surgeons’ personal problems and the seriousness of the surgeries that they perform, “Grey’s Anatomy” has been keeping fans on the edge of their seats for over a decade. Creating a lasting impact on today’s popular culture, “Grey’s Anatomy” has humanized doctors and has given viewers a general knowledge of the medical field.
‘Bones’: Known for its perfect blend of crime, drama, and comedy, FOX’s “Bones” has been a classic installment on television for years. The show follows brilliant forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan and her partner charismatic FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth as they solve various crimes together around the Washington D.C. area. With the recent addition of season 10 on Netflix and the ongoing airing of season 11 Thursdays on FOX, “Bones” continues to provide viewers with the exhilarating thrill of chasing down the bad guys.
‘Friends’: Although “Friends” aired on television from 1994-2004, today’s younger generation still continues to revere this sitcom ten years later as a classic, cultural icon. Centering around a close knit group of friends consisting of Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross living together in New York City, “Friends” conveys an everlasting message to viewers that all people need in life is loyal friends that will stand by their side. Filled with laughs, romance, and heartbreaks, “Friends” sets a high standard for today’s modern comedy sitcoms.
‘Dexter’: As Americans tend to find immense satisfaction in watching television shows that emphasize bringing criminals to justice, it is no wonder that “Dexter”, a crime drama mystery series, gained much popularity when it aired on Showtime for eight seasons. The show introduces a complex protagonist named Dexter who channels his rage over the murder of his mother through killing criminals. Blood splatter analyst by day and criminal slayer by night, Dexter’s secret double life serves as the main focus of the series.
Best Classic Movies by Rebecca Boyajian
’50 First Dates’: Perfect comedy duo Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore star in this comical love story that premiered in 2004. Barrymore plays Lucy Whitmore, a woman who lives the same day over and over due to memory loss. Sandler plays womanizer Henry Roth, who falls for Lucy, though she is unable to remember him from the day before. Roth tries to get Lucy to fall in love him every day through videos he films, recapping their relationship. Although the plot appears to be very cliche, this movie, like most Sandler classics, continues to make viewers laugh out loud.
‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’: Student Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) realizes that his high school career is coming to a close and feels the need to seize the moment before the responsibility of the real world sets in. So he fools his parents into believing he is sick and instead of staying home sets out, alongside his best friend and girlfriend, on one of the most epic days off in history. The addition of the creepy principal Mr. Rooney, who hunts the students down adds an adrenaline factor that compliments the exciting and hilarious comedy.
‘Big Daddy’: After his girlfriend leaves him due to his immaturity and lack of responsibility Adam Sandler’s character Sonny attempts to win her back by adopting a young boy (played by Dylan and Cole Sprouse) and taking him under his wing. Sandler appears to be the opposite of father material but as the movie progresses the connection between the father and son grows through hilarious adventures and lessons that Sonny attempts to teach.
‘Clueless’: Main character Cher is one of the most self-absorbed characters in cinema. Her main priorities in life are remaining at the top of the high school social chain and shopping; however, the movie effectively makes the audience fall in love with her. The cleverly relatable movie is quirky and fun and follows Cher’s story as she tries to set up two teachers and help a new student fit in.
‘Mean Girls’: “Mean Girls” became a classic the instant it hit the big screen over 10 years ago and has since developed an almost cult-like following of fans who can quote the entire script by heart. It’s not a surprise, as the film was written by comedy queen Tina Fey and was composed of a star-studded cast. At first, it appears to be another teen movie following the struggles of a new student finding their way, but its comedic one-liners and dynamic characters set the movie apart from the rest.
Best Netflix Originals By Natalie Luongo
‘Bloodline’: “Bloodline” has been called Netflix’s best original programming, and it’s easy to see why. Centered around a dysfunctional Florida family and the drama of their son’s homecoming, its striking cinematography, poignant tone, and clever dialogue set the talented cast up for a success. Although the pace is a little slow, the twisting storyline draws viewers in. It’s a dark show, not unlike “House of Cards,” but it distinguishes itself from other family dramas with its subtle relatability and dark, criminal twist. Kyle Chandler, of “Friday Night Lights,” stars as clean-cut son John, while newcomer Ben Mendelsohn steals the show as Danny, the black sheep of the family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRnS8FkcXNk
‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’: “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” is undoubtedly one of Netflix’s biggest successes. The cheery show, written and produced by Tina Fey, is a breath of fresh air for viewers of all ages. The titular character is naive and endearing, as she has been held in an underground bunker for most of her life. However, the jokes don’t get tired. Tituss Burgess and Jane Krakowski are hysterical as Kimmy’s best friend and rich employer, respectively. Overall, the show’s catchy theme and clever writing don’t lack much.
‘Aziz Ansari: Buried Alive’: Few people watch stand up comedy these days. However, if you’re willing to branch out, Netflix offers over a hundred specials, dozens of which are Netflix originals. Aziz Ansari, of “Parks and Recreation” fame, features in four of these, but “Buried Alive” is his best. It’s fairly intimate, and though Ansari talks about the pressure to be more mature, he retains his youthful energy. For fans of Tom Haverford, this stand up special is an hour of nothing but the lovably immature star.
‘The Square’: Netflix has made several attempts at documentaries–”Beasts of No Nation” being the most popular and “Virunga” the most influential–but none are as compelling as this 2013 release. Focusing on the Egyptian Revolution that began at Tahrir Square, the film portrays the activists who call for Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak’s resignation. Though it casts a favorable light on protesters and isn’t a complete coverage of the events, “The Square” is a hopeful story of the clash between people and government.
‘Sense8’: There have been hundreds of science fiction shows on TV, but they tend to lack interesting characters and stories. “Sense8” breaks that cycle with its emphasis on the various cultures and backgrounds of its characters. It’s about eight people from different parts of the world who discover they have a mental connection and attempt to escape an organization set on “neutralizing” their powers. Though the concept seems far fetched, the creators of “The Matrix” send a message about how technology connects people all over the world.
Sally • Feb 25, 2017 at 11:06 am
No one ever mentions DROP DEAD DIVA. I loved it!